BSP has emerged as our main rival in UP, says Varun Gandhi

Bharatiya Janata Party's national general secretary Varun Gandhi has launched his election campaign in Sultanpur even before his party declares him the official candidate. Thirty four-year-old Gandhi, who won from Pilibhit last time with a margin of more than 2.8 lakh votes, said he choose to shift to Sultanpur as the constituency was the "karam boomi" of his father Sanjay Gandhi. An economics graduate from the London School of Economics, Gandhi spoke to ET on his candidature, politics of hope, generational tussle in BJP and other issues. Edited excerpts.

Why did you decide to contest from Sultanpur?

I wanted a constituency which responded to me emotionally. I have seen my father's work in this area. He was loved by the people as their son. The people here have seen me from afar till now but regard me also as their son. I wanted to represent a constituency with which I could have a long association, and Sultanpur it was. I was abroad for many years and came back to contest from Pilibhit, which I won with a wide margin. But I really wanted a constituency which was not next door to my mother's (Maneka Gandhi is an MP from Aonla). I belong to this place and will remain here now.

BJP is yet to release the list of its candidates but you have already launched your campaign...

There are discussions within the party and senior leaders know what is happening. I have my roots in Sultanpur and I am shifting from Pilibhit where I am leaving behind a very strong base. I was not looking out for a safe seat, which Pilibhit is, but venturing out to strengthen the party elsewhere. I also have to respond to the wishes of the people in Sultanpur, who look up to me with a lot of expectation. How could I ignore that?

You are likely to be pitted against Congress' Amita Sinh, who is the wife of your father's once close associate Sanjay Sinh. Does it not make it awkward for you?

I am looking for a new kind of politics, which is inclusive and devolves power to the common man. I think poll campaigns are about communicating one's ideas and vision and not criticising each other. Obviously, if there are elections, there will be contestants against you. But I would rather look at the big picture.

Sultanpur abuts Rae Bareli and Amethi, represented by Congress chief and your aunt Sonia Gandhi and cousin Rahul. Will your entry into the area lead to more friction between you and your estranged relatives?

Sultanpur might be touching Rae Bareli and Amethi, but it has its own distinct identity and its own specific problems. In our country, even 65 years after Independence, systems are not in place. Basic inalienable rights to government's schemes are not provided. I am here to change all that. Family relations are a private matter and will remain that way.

But in your campaign speeches, you talked about the development in Amethi and the lack of it in Sultanpur. Wasn't that a reference to Congress' partisan behaviour towards the so-called VIP constituencies?

My reference was not to any particular leader's seat, but the lack of development in Sultanpur as compared with other areas. What I was referring to was that people now want leaders who not only understand their problems but are also capable to provide access to relevant schemes and funds for addressing those issues.

How is the BJP's campaign shaping up in UP? The party has high hopes from the state...

The Congress and SP are ill placed this time round. The way I see things, and I have been touring and working in UP for the last 10 years, the Congress and SP have lost the plot. The Congress would be the worse sufferer in these polls and the SP would also do very badly. The BJP has a clear and definitive edge this time.

Who will be the BJP's main adversary in UP?

I think the BSP has emerged as the main rival at many places in Uttar Pradesh. In western UP in particular, the fight is directly between BJP and BSP. But as I said that BJP would be the biggest gainer and the largest party in UP this time. We will do very well in the coming polls.

What happens to Aonla and Pilibhit, seats represented by your mother and you?

My mother would still represent the area. The way I have done politics and learnt from my family is that we value relationships. If me or my family has represented that area, it will forever be in our hearts. While my mother will continue nursing the area, I too would keep going back regularly.

You would be surprised to know that my personal mobile number is with thousands and lakhs of people there and they keep calling me for all kinds of problems. That is the bond I have with them.

Many people see a tussle within the BJP between the older generation, which built the party, and the one that is leading the show right now?

I can only say that unnecessary hype is being created out of small issues. The tickets would be declared soon and every thing would be put to rest.